Abstract
According to the ‘Bayesian brain’ or ‘predictive coding’ accounts, the brain makes sense of incoming sensory information based on three processes: 1) sampling of sensory evidence, 2) extraction of statistical regularities to create ‘predictive models’ about the environment, and 3) exploitation of such predictive models. These components interact dynamically to optimize the perceptual decision-making process and to guarantee flexibility to changes. The available evidence about the role of predictive coding in perception is mostly behavioral and only few studies investigated its neurophysiological basis. Importantly, there have been virtually no attempts to probe whether the key components of predictive coding could be modulated non-invasively in the human brain to promote faster learning and neural plasticity. The present project is the first systematic study of the plasticity of neural networks underlying predictive processes in the context of human perception. The project will use techniques that can: i) modulate the precision of sensory sampling; ii) modulate the “learning” and iii) “exploitation” of statistical regularities, and thus the ability to generate predictive models. We will employ different and complementary non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) approaches. First, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) will be used to modulate specific brain frequencies. Occipital tACS in the alpha range (8-14 Hz) will be employed to test whether the rate of temporal sampling of visual information can be modulated. Frontal tACS within the theta band (4-7 Hz) will be used to test whether the learning of statistical regularities can be improved and whether this affects the exploitation of predictive models in new settings. Second, we will use transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), given its potential to boost plasticity in sensory and associative areas. tRNS in occipital areas will be used to modulate the signal-to-noise ratio of sensory sampling. tRNS in frontal areas will be used to modulate learning of priors from statistical regularities. Finally, we will use a new neurostimulation paradigm named ccPAS (cortico-cortical Paired Associative Stimulation), which can modify the connectivity of brain regions by inducing Hebbian-like plastic changes. Occipito-occipital ccPAS will be employed to strengthen re-entrant (feedback) processing and test its impact on visual sensory sampling. Parieto-occipital ccPAS will be used to strengthen the connectivity between cortical areas important for prior model exploitations. The project will test healthy human volunteers to provide important basic knowledge on the plasticity of the predictive brain. Since predictive processes have been hypothesized to be altered in different disorders, potential extensions will include the investigation of predictive processes dynamics in relation to individual differences in sensory sampling, cognitive styles and personality traits.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Vincenzo Romei
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Psicologia "Renzo Canestrari"
Coordinatore:
Libera Università Vita Salute S.Raffaele MILANO(Italy)
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 91.641,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
30/11/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
